where it hurts

The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act didn't make it last week. This from the New York Times's account:

On a 250-to-162 vote, backers of the measure fell short of the two-thirds majority necessary to pass the bill, which would require medical personnel to inform women that a fetus could experience pain and to offer anesthesia for the fetus. The supermajority vote was required under special rules used to consider the bill.

Democrats accused Republicans, who will no longer be in the majority next year, of trying to score political points. The measure had no chance of becoming law in the last few days of this session.

“We are wasting time today on a bill that is laden with rhetoric but very little science,” said Representative Lois Capps, Democrat of California.

But Republicans said the measure was intended to allow women to make informed choices when considering an abortion. They disputed scientific research suggesting that a fetus did not experience pain. “This legislation is very, very badly needed,” said Representative Phil Gingrey, Republican of Georgia, an obstetrician.

National Right to Life makes clear there were thirteen women sponsors of this bill. It's inconceivable that none of them spoke to the measure on the floor of the House, and that no men spoke against. So what do we get from the NYT? Cartoons, to illustrate the NARAL catechism: women support abortion, men oppose it.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

In the battle between good and evil, the Good Side just lost a big one!. Hard to believe we have people who would believe the fetus does not have a nervous system in tack that would sense all the pain which has been described by some as equal to the worst of medieval tortures. Diogenes..I think there are many of us who would like to hear your thoughts on the morality of the war in Iraq. Fetuses suffer, and so do civilians and soldiers. Love to read your inciteful thoughts...so well expressed .

Posted by: unum -
Dec. 12, 2006 11:08 PM ET USA

Because of the timing and the fact that the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act had no chance of becoming law, this was a political charade on both sides of the issue.
This exercise shows the utter contempt of the Congress for the people. The Congress believes that we will base their support on a performance, rather than results, with a bill to reduce the number of infants who die a painful death from abortion.
The Congress of this "Christian nation" continues its descent to new lows.

Stay in Touch!

Subscribe to Insights

Stay on top of the latest Catholic news and analysis from CatholicCulture.org.